Thrown Out of Eden

“Poetry is the soul’s melody; sometimes harmonious and flowing, other times stark and discordant, much like a symphony stepping out of time.”

Just as Thomas Paine’s words were essential to the American Revolution, so were the verses of luminaries such as Sophocles, Homer, and Tennyson, to Frost and Longfellow. With their profound insight, these poets captured the quintessential human truth, shaping it into timeless verse.

From ancient bards to modern-day wordsmiths, a poet’s voice must never be stilled. Silence seldom brings healing; it often breeds complacency and indifference.

My city, Dallas, stands testament to this, its heart still shadowed by the tragedy of 1963. Only through introspection, voiced through words, can we find reconciliation. As the victim of that fateful day once stated, “When power corrupts, poetry cleanses.”

Poetry, like a clarion call, resonates across ages, cultures, and oceans, weaving tales of humanity, imagination, and commentary.

Some writers perfect punctuation, others master grammar, but when I wield words, I strike with the might of a sledgehammer!

Dive into this collection at your pace, let it stir thoughts, evoke reflection, and gift you moments of sheer poetic pleasure.

Through Whiskey Colored Glasses

"She said, 'Let’s go sit on the roof and watch the clouds go by,' and I thought... and never come down."

"I'll continue to search for answers and words, but how do you describe a feeling that hammers you in the chest and splits your atoms into a million unrecognizable bits... when she kisses me." 

"I couldn’t find the angel on my other shoulder. I did, however, find my devil. Turns out he is half into a bottle of bourbon, and I don’t like the look on his face."

If you have ever wondered what goes through the mind of men as they wrestle with their own doubts of self-love, sexuality, and ego, then sit back, relax, grab yourself something drink, and perhaps a pack of tissues. 

Thoughts Unlocked

Written by a locksmith, Thoughts Unlocked shows us that an everyday worker can write thought provoking, passionate poetry that will stand the test of time. He writes with a keen perspective across four themes: life, love, nature, and Jayliana (his granddaughter). Bringing language to life, Alan satisfies first time readers of poetry as well as life-long lovers of the art form. Grab hold of his words and fill yourself with memorable thoughts.

Thought Prints

“Birthed in a month, on a day, somewhere in time. Somewhere in history.

Somewhere in my past, I didn’t exist… But I was to be.”

“When I look back in time, exploring my mind, I realize I didn’t glance…

But I was to see…”

– from “A Letter to Myself.”

With intensity and emotion, Thought Prints reels the reader in instantly! Anyone who has the pleasure of reading this compilation of poems will surely find magic. A collection of poetry with a story to tell!

Things That Be

In Things That Be, the author shares a collection of poems that provide a powerful and unique perspective on the world from a southern Black American viewpoint. Through his words, the author captures the triumphs and struggles of society both in America and beyond.

Things That Be is not just a book of poetry but a reflection of the human experience. The author’s words will resonate with readers, providing a glimpse into a perspective that is often overlooked in today’s society. This collection is a must-read for anyone who appreciates powerful, thought-provoking poetry that speaks to the heart and soul of humanity.

Their Heinous Crime

The author, Roland Nitzel, started writing poetry as a senior in high school and continued through his college years. During that time, in the early 1960s, some of his professors and classmates encouraged him to submit his poems for publication. He submitted a couple to various college publications, and they were rejected. So, he went about the business of supporting his family, writing a poem when he remembered something from the past that he wanted to explore, or when he felt he needed to react to a current event, or just for the fun of it.

When the pressures of the pandemic, political chaos, and racial hatred reached a tipping point, Nitzel started writing at a prolific rate.

This collection of poems spans six decades. The book has been called innovative, fresh, intense, unique, raw, and well-written. A wide range of topics are covered: racism, religion, events, observations, opinions, self-examination, and more.

The Words That Bleed

The Words That Bleed is a volume of poems and original illustrations that reflects on life’s journey in a bold way, reminding everyone who is battling their own challenges that they are seen.

…Strength is a mixture of things.

In some ways, strength can be determined by how hard it is to knock you down,

 but the measuring factor is how many times you manage to get back up even with weight on your shoulder…

The Words That Bleed interlaces many elements to form a gripping story of loss, adoration, betrayal, and self-discovery as it explores various sentiments. Encouraging others to digest life in a new way, this book provides a space for others to dream so that they may embrace the possibilities ahead of them.

Within the lines inspired by the bowels of an ever-busy imagination, The Words That Bleed uses a range of emotions to create a transfixing illustration of life experiences. As a continuation of Delaney’s first collection of poetry, The Truth That Hides, she inspires others to look beyond their own view. No matter how far you have to search for good, it’s sprinkled all around you. Waiting for its recognition.

The Timeless Love of Billy B for Scheherazade

Balthazar dreams of the perfect woman, one he can summon or dismiss at will on his computer screen. But as time passes, he becomes ensnared in his own creation, consumed by an obsession with this non-existent figure. As Balthazar spirals downward, losing everything from his identity to the use of his body, reduced to just his mind and the fingers tapping at the keyboard, she, in contrast, rises. She transforms into a modern-day Scheherazade, learning to command her prince.

Baltha B was unaware,
No more sits he upon the chair.
The relics of his body’s ruin,
Are the one last bastion
Of his undoing.
Death beckons when the hands they clap,
To say, ‘Enough! Your time is up’

The Struggles and Hardships of Life

Do you ever feel like the world is crumbling beneath your feet just as you are making strides towards success? In the midst of pursuing happiness, do feelings of anxiety, depression, and fear of failure hold you back from experiencing life’s positive aspects? This collection of poems delves into the raw emotions of a teenage girl who is struggling to find herself amidst the hardships of life. Though she may seem chaotic and doubtful, she eventually finds clarity and peace. As she approaches the finish line, everything that was once overwhelming suddenly makes sense. Join her on a journey of self-discovery and triumph over adversity in this powerful and moving series.

The Rose, the Star, and the Moon

On a dark night, I found myself walking along a garden path. I gazed up at the sky, and saw the moon sharing light with everything beneath it. It had a gentle spirit, selfless, and kind. A shooting star made its way to earth, mesmerizing as it fell faster and faster. It had a rare spirit, hard to read, but breathtaking to view. A rose in the garden, petals in full bloom, showed its subtle nature. It had a conflicted spirit, unsure of whether to follow its dreams or pick the easiest path. The rose, the star, and the moon all lit a fire inside me and took my breath away, but a voice inside me told me I could pick just one to love. Which one added more fuel to the flame? Which one caused me to clutch my chest because there was no more breath inside me? Yet how can you choose which one you love best when all are equally beautiful, and all will bring you the same amount of pain?

The Pictured Girl and Other Short Poems

“Alas, the pictured girl

Was swimming in my tears

She was a soulmate lost

About a hundred years”

“But I had faith

That butterfly wings

When given time

Whip up great things”

Some of the best poetry is marinated in the stew of tragedy and time. Distance gives us a useful perspective. Terry Tatum was a child of the 20th century. His poetry is largely inspired by his own memories of this unique and complicated time in America. Nevertheless, this first anthology of short poems is a timeless encapsulation of themes of loss, conflict, cultural reflection and criticism, environmentalism, childhood idealism and restitution. For the present age, these poems are still relevant. For the fortunate reader, this rich and varied collection of short poems is likely to become iconic and unforgettable. 

The Pause

This collection of poems takes us through life experiences to which we can all relate. The themes of unrequited love, heartache after heartbreak, experiencing loss, getting caught in the rat race, facing the struggle of keeping up with the pace of a heavy workload, dealing with issues of racism, addiction, and discrimination. It also explores feelings concerning the impact of the recent COVID-19 Pandemic which increased many of our feelings of isolation, desperation, and has caught us off guard while trying to come to terms with the unknowns. There are other themes of police brutality as referenced in the George Floyd Incident and as captured in “Let’s be clear.”

Throughout all this, one still has hope for the future, and that one’s children will be able to cope as they try to navigate life and its day-to-day challenges.